Next-gen iPhone to feature only “slight modifications”, coming in September?

Concord Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo
was one of the few reliable sources giving correct estimates about
the iPad 2's resolution. It's this track record that makes us value
information that he's gathered straight from supply channels about
the expected iPhone 5. First off, the new iPhone will only undergo a
slight redesign and an improved antenna positioning, focusing more on
a flashier iOS 5.0 than on any major changes in the hardware. The
analyst remained silent about a possible change in the screen size,
but mentioned that it's the 2012 iPhone that will bring more dramatic
changes.

In addition, Kuo confirmed that the new
iPhone is to come with an A5 dual-core chip and an 8-megapixel rear
camera. The analyst noticed that Apple will switch to a
Qualcomm-produced baseband chip for both GSM and CDMA handsets.
Apple's A5 chip is what's behind the iPad 2 and its noticeably faster
performance and graphical oomph, but all of this is also expected on
the next generation of the iPhone.

Kuo also confirmed earlier information that mass production of the phone is to start only
in September, while trial units are to be produced as early as
August. If true, this will break Cupertino's disciplined yearly
release schedule and will leave us guessing about what we'll see at
June's WWDC where Apple usually debuts new products. A delayed launch
of the next-gen iPhone in September or October would allow Apple to
ship between 28 and 32 million handsets this year.

Kuo also went on to claim that Japan's
devastating tsunami affected seriously Apple supplies to an extent
that a new generation of the iPod touch – as unlikely as it sounds
– might not be launched this year.

51 Comments

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I think the design(shape) looks good that way... slight changes like the ones done to the Verizon iPhone and maybe move them to top and bottom so its impossible to hold them both at the same time accidentally, I wonder what apple has in plans for OS5

16.JeffdaBeat (unregistered)

The funny thing is, we expect this dramatic change to the iPhone year after year and I don't think we really need one. The iPhone 4 looks and feels amazing. The only complaint I have is wanting a 4" screen, but other than that, the phone could stay the same size and shape and I'll be happy for a few years. The OS, however, does need to change. It's pretty much remained the same these past four years and although it's an OS that has been copied in look and feel...it's also feeling a bit dated. I don't want Apple to get away from the ease of use, but I would love a new look.

I wouldn't mind widgets, live backgrounds, and better intergration with Facebook (where I can control what information comes from Facebook and not just have it load all my friends on my phone). But I don't think Apple is going to go for that...

18.Gcombs (unregistered)

The design of the iPhone 4 is great but a 4 to 4.3 inch screen. They should remove the home button and move the earpiece up to utilize the whole screen that way they wont have to really mess with the size of the phone.

21.JeffdaBeat (unregistered)

Okay, so I had this weird idea for the iPhone and I was wondering what folks would think of it. I know I absolutely hate the notification system because it interrupts what I am doing in the phone. What if where the black strips on the top and bottom (earpiece and home button) you replaced with the LCD screen, but have it used only for notifications. That way you don't compromise screen real estate and those damn notifications won't pop up when you are using your phone...

So you want a 4"-4.3" screen, updated UX, widgets, live wall papers, and better notification handling? You just named an Android phone like the Evo 4G, Thunderbolt 4G, or an Inspire 4G... Stop drinking the iKoolaid, and just buy an Android phone already. Besides if you use Google search, Gmail, Google maps, and Youtube you should just switch to Android for the better integration with Googles own services... Your guys inability to try something different and just as good amazes me...

maybe there are some things he likes from IOS.... its hard to migrate when you have spent certain money on something and have to start from scratch, also here are some points people don't like on android

28.Xpple@gmail.com (unregistered)

No doubt! I don't get all these iFans whining all the time about the features they want on their iOS device when there's already an Android device with all that they are asking for. . . do they really think that fruity logo makes it better or are they just so sputipd that they don't realize there are other platforms that offer more?!?! WTFE!

40.JeffdaBeat (unregistered)

Like I said, I would be all aboard to Android bandwagon if Google could update my handset instead of LG, Samsung, HTC, and Motorola. Sure, they support the phone in the first few months, but I've noticed them slow in their updates as Google updates their OS. I don't like that. Apple on the other hand only has 4 phones to worry about and are much more dedicated to updating their OS and as soon as they do, I can update my phone instead of waiting for a manufacturer to also update it on their end.

I'm sorry, but buying Android isn't really buying Google unless you are buying the Nexus One (and even that's HTC). When I buy my iPhone, I can get support right from Apple and I can get my phone fixed at an Apple Store. And I'd rather have the Apps on an iPhone over any of what I described...

The only quarrel I have with this is the annoying "force closes" I get with the Android browser. Yes, I know there are other options, but Skyfire has given me some of the same issue. This is not me trying to stick up for any "i" products, just saying what I experience with my Droid. That said, I'd love to have the Thunderbolt speeds...assuming the battery will let me go for the good part of a day.

well said he did just basically spell out droid in his requests didnt he, droid does all of that from day one. I have a iphone 4 since three weeks ago but will not get rid of my droid. I have the droid x also, im just a phone geek is why i have two but droid hands down.

so jeff, you want that samsung contineuom or whatever it was called on VZW that has the seperate info screen.

so what you want is what is already availible with android.. only on iOS.... so basically, you want android on an apple styled phone.. lol.

This year's big innovation is going to be widgets, i garuntee it. next year.. live wallpapers!!

And no matter how long android has had it, ol steve will get up there and make the iBots believe that God came to him personally and told him how to make it happen only for iOS, and google went n copied it... lol.

41.JeffdaBeat (unregistered)

I would watch it on that front because Android and much of its features wouldn't exist if iOS didn't come about. There was no real consumer smartphone.

And why does it all have to be so completely polarized? More of this Team Edward, Team Jacob Twilight battle. I wouldn't trade my iPhone for another OS right now, but that doesn't mean I hate Android or can't like a lot of the features. I don't play that game at all. I also like Windows Phone 7...am I allowed to say that? I like John McCain a lot or does being a Democrat means I'm going to political hell?

How about this, I love innovation no matter if there is a robot or apple on the back of the phone. I love features and gadgets. I love that anyone can now pick up a smartphone and use it without being a business guy. There, no Apple or Android talk...grow up dude.

And i dont want to grow up, because then i couldnt be a toys-r-us kid!

Sorry, if i think its rediculous that you want all the android features on iOS. We both know its not going to happen.

And yes, the current smartphone world holds its roots with the original iphone. The iphone was no original though, as it borrowed from other touch OSs like palm n windows but made a much easier to learn platform. Everyone owes something to someone. But instead of wishing that all the features u want come to "your" platform, just go to the platform that has it already.

And obviously you do side with "team apple". Most posts you make are on that side. and you admit that apple is falling behind and the features u want are found elsewhere, but you refuse to leave it and just hope it gets better. You couldnt be a bigger ibot-in-denial if you tried.

Ive had windows 5 and 6, i liked blackberry features better, so i went there.. then i started liking some features of android so i popped over here. Its grown so much and so fast over here, there isnt any reason to leave. I did have a WP7 phone for a few weeks to try it out though. Good stuff, but not good enough to stay.

Ive tried iOS but it reminds me of an over priced toy. And it sure as heck isnt keeping up with the world of innovation around it, and even u can admit that part...lol
The major "predicters" are all predicting iOS slide into 3rd place behind Android and WP7. Thats a pretty steep slide. Will we be talking "fondly" of our memories of iOS in a few years? Time will tell.

50.JeffdaBeat (unregistered)

You're correct, most of the comments I make are about Apple. But that's also because a good amount of new stories on this site are about Apple.

And yes, I'd like some Android features to come to iOS. But I'm not going to move to Android because I just don't like the business model. Instead of buying Google who I know will support the OS, I have to buy LG or Samsung who may or may not continue to support my phone after the first year or so. I've said that before and I'll keep saying it. But where you misunderstand me is that I don't envy my Android brethren. No OS is perfect. There are features I wish I had on my iPhone, but there are things in iOS that I really don't want to part with. If I did, I'd get an Android phone.

And the thing is, I've carried an Android as my company phone. Samsung Galaxy S. Even with months of using it, I'm just not convinced on the OS. There are definitely some great feature, but it isn't the right phone for me. And like you, I've used Windows Mobile 5, 6, and WP7. I've used Blackberry and loved it. I've used WebOS as well. iOS is just the right fit for me. Doesn't make it perfect, but it works for me. It doesn't work for you and that's fine.

And as for being in 3rd...again, I think if Apple cared about having the most used mobile OS, they'd let manufacturers load it on their phones. But just like their computers, they don't. That's part of the appeal I think...your computer is made and customized by the same company that makes the operating system. HP is about to do the same thing...

I don't know why folks expect major changes - the iPhone has remained fairly static through most iterations, with the iPhone4 being the biggest change jump up. Other than the iPhone4, the original, 3G and 3GS were just slight changes each time.

The 4 is the best looking of the bunch. I think that with the following tweaks, it would be the best of the bunch: Bigger screen - 3.8-4", but not 4.3". Fix the antenna attenutaion issue with the external antenna, but keep the metal bezel look. Move away from the all glass body, but don't go cheap plastic.

Beyond that, I'd really like to see a user replaceable battery, but I know that isn't happening!

I've kept my mouth shut on here about apple but I'm am really starting to dislike pretty much all iPhone. They are just selling over-priced, under powered devices. Yes they're OS is super polished, Incredibly quick and smooth, but that isn't enough in my opinion. It's to simple for my taste, they use scraps from each device (iPad, iPhone, and iPod) to make the next just so they can save money and charge a stupid amount for it. I mean come on look at the camera's on the iPad, they couldn't have gone with the rear on the iPhone instead of using the iPod cameras. Either way they make a lot of money for something that no one else could just because of the name behind it, and I don't care much for that.

I know A5 is dual core, but they could have use a upgraded A4 chip or ship with a 5MP camera, plus dual core is a far as we have gone, In my opinion apple its not going to be the first LTE or the first Quad core or the first with wireless charging only but its gonna do a good work and not make most users feel outdated

technically, its Samsung's A5 chip, not Apples. Again, apple is using a lower version of the exynos chip that samsung will be using in the galaxyS2, just like the iphone4 shares a lower version of the hummingbird in the galaxyS.

Apple doesnt "make" anything. They contract out to a dozen different companies and have some poor suicidal souls in china put it together for pennies. I wonder if the apple factory has hit the 20 suicide mark. They were at 17 suicides 3 months ago.

I have a great suggestion for people like you who truly understand the cell phone industry. Why not create your own cell phone and then we can compare your product against Apple's iPhone. It's easy to be a critic -- the speed at which Apple overtook RIM sends a strong signal that Apple's products are hard to beat.

As for the iPad, more iPads were sold in its first year than the combined sales of PC-based tablets. It's just amazing how Apple can provide a great iPad2 at $499 and no other competitor can match the iPad2 at the same price for a comparable product. Motorola can't match a similar spec product at $499. Samsung can't match it. Acer can't match it. HTC can't match it. LG can't match it. Dell can't match it. And what about RIM.

The bottom line is people like MalakiMills don't understand the economics of building a product like the iPad2 or the iPhone. Also, while the iPad or the iPhone is not for everyone, Apple has done a tremendous job creating competition such that the consumer wins in the end. It's no denying Apple has raised the bar.

i also agree with this. Apple really revolutionized the smartphone industry with the iPhone what? almost 10 years ago? That being said. Android is coming up on it's 3rd birthday while Apple is rounding it's 11th (give or take... i didn't take the time to actually research initial release dates so if i'm wrong plz take it with a grain of salt xD). i'm not saying that Apple has lost the capacity for change, though i do believe that for the past few years with the 3g and 3gs they got lazy... rightfully so almost. being the only true competitor for the smartphone industry... lol overall, competition gives birth to innovation. that and War ^^ :o

11 years?? ok.. lets do easy math. Right now, the iphone4 is out. Apple releases a new iphone every year.. soooooooo... try 4, almost 5 years... not 11. LOL

Ardent,
Samsung is beating it, Acer is under cutting it, HTC is beating it, LG (is over pricing the Gslate..), Dell's current offering is way cheaper, and RIM is beating it.

Everyone you just mentioned is making a dual core tablet that does as much or more than the ipad2 for the same price or less for the most part. ibot fanboys are so blind. The chip is made from samsung, so id say apple is at the mercy of their competitor if samsung just happen to start having "supply issues", and since LG makes most of their screens, id say the same.

Again, ibot, Apple doesnt "make" anything. They just send different premade parts to a factory in china and has them put together and sold.

The argument calls for same specs (as in an apples to apples comparison): 9.7" screen, up to 10-hour battery life as the standard, $499 price point for wifi, 1.33 pounds, 8.8 mm thick, etc, etc. I left out HP after HP got a huge black-eye from it original boast of its upcoming Slate tablet.

In economics, Apple's approach is called economies of scope, which is better than economies of scale.

As I stated earlier, thanks to Apple, the consumers are benefitting from Apple's innovations.

23.JeffdaBeat (unregistered)

I don't think that's a fair statement. The iPhone 3GS actually drove down the prices of high end smartphones overall. That's why we see them at the $199 price point. Rarely do you see smartphones for more than $200 (other than the 32GB). So I'm not sure how you can say that they're overpriced except for at the no-committment price, in which case I agree with you. But rarely do people have to purchase at that. So if you're getting a polished OS, the most apps for any mobile OS, and probably one of the better cameras in both videos and pictures...what exactly do you hate about the iPhone?

And I'm not attacking you...I know text doesn't have any emotion behind it so it's hard to tell sometimes...

29.Xpple (unregistered)

This is what Apple does. They have perfected the "upgrade path." Each version they limit in certain ways so they can offer an increase in that area on the next upgrade so you will want to buy a new device each year. If any other company did this they would be crucified by tech reviews but Apple get's high praise each time and reviewers overlook the limiting factors. Imagine how bad reviews would be on Android tablets if they used 512RAM, low quality cameras, mono speaker, no SD, basic displays, etc. . .

It usually takes about 4 to 5 generations to get the device as it should have been originally however, no matter what Apple will always use their proprietary ports.

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